What does "catastrophe" mean?

1. (a disaster) a sudden event that causes great trouble, damage, or suffering. 2. (a failure) a complete failure or a very bad situation. 3. (the end of a story) the final part of a play or story where everything is resolved, often sadly. 4. (a sudden change in a system) a sudden change where a system moves from one state to another.

How do you use "catastrophe"?

Often used in the context of 'catastrophe theory'.

catastrophe

US //kəˈtæstɹəfi// UK //kɐtˈæstɹəfi// catas·tro·phe

1 a disaster (n.)
B2 Upper Intermediate

a sudden event that causes great trouble, damage, or suffering.

a sudden and widespread disaster or misfortune of great significance.

Example

The earthquake was a total catastrophe for the small mountain village.

Example

The sudden collapse of the national bank proved to be a financial catastrophe that wiped out the savings of thousands of families.
- blessing
- success
2 a failure (n.)
B2 Upper Intermediate Informal

a complete failure or a very bad situation.

a total failure or a situation that has gone completely wrong, often used with slight hyperbole.

Example

The dinner party was a catastrophe because the oven stopped working.

Example

The opening night of the play was a catastrophe, as several actors forgot their lines and the scenery fell over.
- triumph

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3 the end of a story (n.)
C2 Proficiency Academic Formal Theatre

the final part of a play or story where everything is resolved, often sadly.

the final event or denouement of a dramatic work, particularly in classical tragedy, which completes the unfolding of the plot.

Example

In the final act, the hero's secret is revealed, leading to the catastrophe.

Example

The playwright carefully constructed the rising action to ensure that the eventual catastrophe felt both inevitable and emotionally devastating.
- denouement
- conclusion
4 a sudden change in a system (n.)
C2 Proficiency Technical Math

a sudden change where a system moves from one state to another.

a sudden shift in the behaviour of a system resulting from small changes in its circumstances.

Example

The bridge collapsed because of a mathematical catastrophe in the structure.

Example

Catastrophe theory provides a framework for modelling how continuous changes in input parameters can lead to abrupt, discontinuous changes in a system's state.

Usage

Often used in the context of 'catastrophe theory'.
- bifurcation
- shift
- stability

Origin

From Ancient Greek καταστροφή (katastrophḗ), from καταστρέφω (katastréphō, “I overturn”), from κατά (katá, “down, against”) + στρέφω (stréphō, “I turn”).